Nail trims fail for one reason, which is that the pet moves. A restraint hammock removes that variable by taking the animal's weight in a mesh sling with four leg holes, so the paws hang free and clear where you can actually see the quick, and there is nothing to brace against or push off. Most of the wriggling stops on its own once the feet leave the ground.

The body of the sling is breathable mesh, so a pet who is already anxious does not overheat inside it, and adjustable straps run up to clip hooks at the top. That adjustment matters more than it looks: the sling should hold the body snugly enough that there is no swinging, and the straps are what set it. Clipping claws, cleaning ears and checking between the pads all become one-person jobs.

• Breathable mesh sling with four leg holes
• Adjustable straps with clip hooks for hanging
• Keeps all four paws free for clipping and inspection
• Suits cats and small to medium dogs
• Useful for nail trims, ear cleaning and pad checks

Two things worth knowing. Nothing to hang it from is included, so you need a solid door frame, a bar or a grooming arm that will take the animal's weight. And a sling settles most pets but genuinely frightens a few; if yours panics, take them out rather than pushing on, and never leave a suspended animal unattended even for a moment.

Who it's for: Owners who dread nail trims with a squirming cat or small dog and would rather not pay a groomer every six weeks.